By MICHAEL NUNES
Staff Writer
Dozens of puppies were found early Monday morning in a van behind Just Pups in Paramus, leading the borough to close the store, according to Mayor Richard LaBarbiera.
This comes on the heels of owner Vincent LoSacco losing his license to his store of the same name in East Brunswick just last week.
“The borough has issued an order to close the store. If anyone can demonstrate that they purchased and completed a transaction prior to the order to close and was waiting to pick up a puppy, please contact the borough to coordinate release,” LaBarbiera said in a statement, also noting that officials have urged the borough Board of Health to initiate hearings into the revocation of Just Pups’ business license and report the findings to the governing body, which he said could come as early as next week.
According to a press release sent from the Paramus Police Department, a total of 50 puppies and small dogs were found in a van located outside the Just Pups facility at 2:59 a.m. April 4.
The two officers who came upon the van “heard crying and whining coming from inside. They also immediately smelled a strong sent of urine and feces emanating from the van. The officers looked inside and observed several small dogs inside,” according to the department, going on to say that inside the van dogs were located inside metal crates housing 2-4 puppies each.
According to LaBarbiera, the borough is issuing 400 summonses.
“The dogs which are still the property of the business shall remain in the care of animal control at various facilities until the court directs otherwise,” LaBarbiera said.
On March 28, the East Brunswick Town Council voted unanimously to revoke Just Pups’ licenses, and LoSacco faces 267 counts of animal cruelty.
Just Pups operates two other stores in Emerson and East Hanover.
On April 5, Emerson issued a statement on the borough website stating that the store was inspected on that day and there are four continuing violations. The store had been previously inspected three times in February and March.
